Improvement in match-boxes



' those skilled in the art 'to make and use the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES PRAHL, OF STAPLETON, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATCH-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 140,949, dated, July 15, 1873; application filed March 20, 1873.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, CHARLES PRAHL, of Stapleton, in the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Match-Box; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which drawing-- Figure 1 represents a horizontal section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig.3 is a horizontal section, and Fig. 4 is a transversevertical section, of a modification of the same.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in arranging in the interior of a match-box a series of cells with open sides, each cell to receive one match, in combination with friction surfaces form ed on a hinged flap, which is pressed toward the matchcontaining cells by means of a spring in such a manner that each match, on being withdrawn from the cell, is brought in contact with the friction-surface of the hinged flap, and thereby the match is ignited.

The cells in my .box are either constructed for round or square matches, or for matches made of strips of pasteboard, and provided with phosphorus on one side only.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a. box made of sheet metal or any other suitable material, and provided on its interior with a series of cells, a, each of which is just large enough to receive one match. The sides of these cells are open, and opposite to these open sides are situated flaps b, which are hinged at their bottom edges, whiletheir upper parts are pressed inward toward the cells a a by springs c c. On these flaps, near their upper edges, are formed friction-surfaces d d,

in such position that, whenever one of the matches is withdrawn from its cell, the head of said match rubs against said friction-surface, and thereby the match is ignited. The flaps b are provided with handles 6, so that they can be pressed back for the purpose of charging the cells with fresh matches.

My box can also be adapted to matches made of strips of past-eboard, such as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Those matches have the phosphorus or other suitable material applied on one side only, and the cells can be made quite narrow, so that a box is obtained which can be conveniently carried in the pocket. By means of my box each match on being withdrawn will be ignited, and at the same time no match can be wasted or carried otl', since whenever a match is withdrawn it ignites, and therefore becomes unfit for future use.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A match-box constructed as herein shown, and provided on its interior surface with the series of separate match-cells a a, in combination with the hinged flaps b b, having the,

friction-surfaces d d, and with the springs c c, all constructed and arranged as and for the purpose specified.

This specification signed by me this 18th day of March, 1873.

CHARLES PRAHL. Witnesses:

W. HAUFF, E. F. KAsTENHUBER. 

